Only You

by Robin Cruise, Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illustrator)

Every adult who loves a child knows how deep and rich that love can be. Little ones are lovable on the outside, with their tiny ears, eyes, and toes. And they're lovable for who they are on the inside, as they sing, play, and shout. Robin Cruise and Caldecott Honor winner Margaret Chodos-Irvine portray a diverse trio of parents and children in this lyrical celebration of a love that makes each child feel like the one and only.

Genres: Picture Books, Love, Childrens, Family, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An endearing book. I enjoyed the author's use of rhymes, which flowed smoothly through and evoked happy emotions through the book.

I also enjoyed the illustrations, which have an understated elegance and beautiful use of texture, and which go so well with the lovingness and gentleness of the text.

[Emily's Storytime Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book so much. It's not a great one for storytime, though. I read it for "Books & Babies" and so even though it's really cute, it's just not good for the programs. At least, I don't think so.

[Chrissy Wassinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published: 2007
Very heartwarming story! I highly recommend for new moms or moms-to-be. This book really shows the love a mother shares with her child.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The text flows so beautifully. I usually use it for storytime during fall.

[Haela C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a mother’s love. A little basic.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book about how a parent loves a small child. It reminded me of all the happy times I had staying at home with my daughter before she went to school 🥰

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and sweet read-aloud perfect for baby showers and first birthdays.

[Aaron Siclovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a beautiful sunrise and Mother went to her baby's crib. She told her child how she loved the way he stretches and yawns. The mother tells the child everything she loves about him, including his mouth, ears, toes, feet, and his soft, sweet skin. In the second section of the book and during the day, little boy took a walk with his father. The father told his child how much he loved him from the inside out. In the third section, the little boys mother told him how how she loves to watch her little boy sleep and dream. She loved him from the the outside in. The final sentence features the mother saying, "I love my one, my only you."

Margaret Chodos- Irvine illustrated the book, creating the pictures using nontraditional combinations such as relief and mono-type printing, collography and chin colle. The pictures are beautiful and depict the love between parents and their children. This book is especially endearing because in the three sections depict three ethnic groups of people. There are also three times of a day used- morning, daytime, and night. This poem can be read to babies and toddlers, as they will be able to identify with the story. It is paramount that children feel appreciated by their parents, just like the mother did when she told her baby that she loves all his physical aspects.

[Kristin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a parent that is telling their child everything they love about them. Very cute story!

I think this would be best used at home instead of in the school but it would work either way. I feel parents would love reading this to their child. I personally would love to give each one of my 'future' children a copy of this book. It is exactly what a parent tells their child everyday but it is in pictures and words. If it is used in a classroom I think it would be fun to use on Mother's Day or Father's Day but really that is the only thing I can think of to relate this to school related.

This is definitely a book that you can read over and over. I really liked it.

[Powells.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Northwest's own Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator, Margaret Chodos-Irvine, teams up with Robin Cruise to bring us this fresh, simple text. These diverse family depictions will make every child feel special and loved beyond belief. A perfect bedtime cuddle-up book for children aged two to six.

Recommended by B.T.D, Powells.com

http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=01...

Have you read this book? Add your own review to our website and enter for the chance to win a $20 gift certificate.

[Lauren Monsey Nagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a delight to read to a baby or a toddler. Simple story lines from waking up when the sky glows peachy rose at dawn and seeing the baby stretch and yawn. When the night spills blue across the sky I love the way you stretch and sigh. This charming book has such sweet and simple rhymes throughout and very colorful pictures that show the close bonds of a parent/child relationship in such sweet and simple terms.
I love each hop, each spin, each shout. I love you from the inside out!
This is book that makes everyone feel good.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I thought the poem was so sweet and adorable, the way the parents were talking about their children and how perfect they are, just the way they are and how they love every little thing about them. I want to buy this book for my future sister-in-law and her new baby, my beautiful niece Camryn. I know she will know just how these parents feel, and I hope that I can experience this too. I would recommend this book for birth-5 yrs.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of buying a birthday card for either of my girl's birthday...I always buy an "I love you" book instead. This book I bought this year for my daughter's 1 year...and I have to say that the message was not only beautifully written, but it expressed my emotions so perfectly. I would definitely recommend it to others, and would hope that parents would decide to read it to their little ones.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children love to read books like this. They love to see how mom's and baby's are together and they like knowing how I felt about them when they were babies and little toddlers.
This is a sweet book written by a mommy to her little ones.

[Sarah Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big, bright illustrations. Awww factor with the moms.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This simple rhyming text describes what parents love about babies.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

shows mommy's love for baby, daddy and love for toddler. colors. gentle. bedtime story.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Diverse families. Great for story time.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and illustrations. Great book for toddler story time and young children!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this illustrator.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for babies and preschoolers and their parents as an I love you book. Not so didactic and right out there.

[Chelsea Merkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the sweetest and most heartfelt books I have ever read. It is a celebration of the love we have for our children. Perfect to read to your child, or have them read to you.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good for littles. for a mixed-age group, can be a little boring.

[Christine Turner]

Subject: Parent and child -- Juvenile fiction
Rhyme -- Juvenile fiction

Note: Great toddler book